Expectant Mothers Can Personalize Birthing Experience at St. John Medical Center

Westlake – St. John Medical Center is introducing a new program that allows expectant mothers to customize their birth experience with birthing options and pampering.

Called “Your Birth, Your Way,” the program is designed to help, guide and support new mothers in the hospital’s Family Birth Center, resulting in a comfortable and personalized experience for mother, baby and other family members.

“From a traditional delivery to a natural birth in our Holistic Birthing Center, we offer many options combined with comprehensive and compassionate care,” says Rae Timko, RN, clinical manager of the Family Birth Center. “Expectant mothers can design their own experience.”

Choices include a traditional birth or a natural childbirth in the hospital’s Holistic Birthing Center, and pain management options that include aromatherapy, Jacuzzi tubs, waterbirth, pain medications and epidural anesthesia.

The core of the program is the Family Birth Center. Here, single-room maternity care allows mom to experience labor, childbirth, recovery and postpartum care in one homelike birthing suite, and allows her to be together with baby and family members after childbirth. Since the same caring and compassionate staff provide care throughout the entire stay, they get to know mom, baby and family.

The Family Birth Center also offers overnight accommodations for dad or support person, flexible visitation guidelines, room service meals, childbirth and parenting education and support, complimentary afternoon tea service, professional photography, a home-going gift bag, a keepsake and lactation support. Further pampering is available through options that include a family pizza party or an adult gourmet meal with a significant other, and a choice of a spa service.

St. John Medical Center also offers healthy, low-risk mothers the option of giving birth with minimal intervention through the Holistic Birthing Center, which closes the gap between home birthing and traditional birthing suites. Instead of pain medications and epidural anesthesia, the Holistic Birthing Center encourages the use of aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, music therapy, and massage therapy. Waterbirth is also available here, and informational classes are available for women interested in exploring this option.

“Whatever birthing option a mother chooses, she can be assured that care for her and her newborn will be provided by an experienced, caring team of obstetricians, midwives, pediatricians and nurses,” says Timko. “Mothers also have peace of mind knowing that specialists are always available in case a complication arises, including high risk specialists available from UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and MacDonald Women’s Hospital.”